Encouraging Creativity

A short and sweet article from Parents Magazine:

Family Article

Fostering creativity won’t just improve your child’s fine motor skills; it can also help him develop mentally, socially and emotionally. Creating art may boost young children’s ability to analyze and problem-solve, and can also boost self-confidence. Here are some tips for encouraging creativity.

Prepare for a mess.

Set up an art space where your kid can be free to experiment (and get messy!). Throw a drop cloth or a newspaper on top of your kitchen table or in the garage. If weather permits, let kids paint outside.

Avoid giving direction.

Don’t tell your kid what to make or how to make it. Instead of suggesting that she paint a rainbow, encourage her to experiment with mixing colors using different types of brushes and paper.

Speak specifically about art.

When talking to your child about his artwork, try to be precise. For instance, instead of giving a generic compliment, try saying, “I see you used a lot of purple. Tell me why you chose that color.”

Explore your child’s process.

Often the best way to encourage conversation about your child’s art is simply to say, “Tell me about what you made,” or ask, “Did you have fun making it?”

Let it be.

When a child finishes a piece, don’t suggest additions or changes. It’s important for a child to feel that what she’s created is enough—even if it’s just a dot on the page.